TransitCenter, a national transit research organization, shares our concerns about the recommended alignment for Center City.

Given this, we are recommending that both the North End and Trade Street Tunnel options be carried into the next phase of engineering. Further analysis would help to clarify some of the "unknowns", including the complexities of the tunnel option.

The North End alignment would bypass the Center City core. (image: CATS)

The Trade Street Tunnel would provide direct access to the Center City core. (image: CATS)

We have shared this recommendation with CATS staff, and intend to also make this recommendation directly to the Metropolitan Transit Commission during the public comment period of their meeting on Wednesday, February 27. They are scheduled to vote on this proposed alignment for the Silver Line and other revisions to the 2030 Transit Plan at this meeting. Below is what we plan to say.

"Sustain Charlotte is committed to supporting the mission of CATS and the MTC to “improve the quality of life for everyone in the greater Charlotte region by providing outstanding community-wide public transportation services.” We share CATS’ goal to increase transit ridership. In this regard, we commend CATS for working towards delivering an expanded transit network by 2030 and understand the need to define new rapid transit alignments as soon as possible in order to pursue funding and construction in a timely manner.

We’re excited about the plans for BRT on the North Corridor, Silver Line service extending from Matthews into Gaston County with service to the Airport, and continuing improvements to the bus network through restructuring, capital improvements and increased frequency. Sustain Charlotte supports transit expansion that connects people quickly and efficiently to their daily destinations.

It’s clear that there is no easy or inexpensive option for bringing the future Silver Line through the Uptown area. At the January 2019 MTC meeting, CATS staff recommended the North End option. However, we encourage the MTC to carry both the North End and Trade Street Tunnel options into the next phase of engineering for additional evaluation for several reasons.

Although there would be a higher upfront capital cost and some risks associated with building a Trade St. tunnel, there are also significant long-term benefits including:

More direct connectivity between the heart of Uptown and the Airport, Matthews, and Belmont.

Greater potential for attracting transit ridership because:

A more central location shortens access to the Silver Line across all four quadrants of the downtown, and

Shorter travel times will be possible due to higher operating speeds to the heart of downtown as well as thru the downtown

Direct service would connect riders to not only the future Charlotte Gateway Station but also to the existing Charlotte Transportation Center (which the North End option would bypass).

Operating costs would be lower over the long term.

There would be less potential for serious and fatal collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. This aligns with Charlotte's new Vision Zero initiative.

Further engineering studies of both the North End and Trade Street Tunnel options would provide additional information and better cost estimates for each option based on better identification of property acquisition needs, utility relocations, future station area considerations (and possible value capture). These studies could assess soil conditions through test borings both along Trade St. and the North End option which includes elevated sections. As such, we encourage the MTC to carry two downtown routing options for the Silver Line into the next phase of engineering work before making a final decision on a preferred downtown alternative.

Regardless of what decision you make we strongly urge you to allocate funds to do the engineering now rather than waiting because we desperately need to complete this plan."

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The light rapid transit I support it run underground but not trade street . I beleive that some tunnels should be built on the way from uptown going south gaston county and east 74 matthews spending alot money building up top with bridges look at other cties such as atlanta, baltimore seattle how run their train underground ridership still bomming cats need to look more wasting money on bridges.

Shannon Wightman-Girard commented
2019-02-27 19:04:33 -0500

As a transit rider, pedestrian, cyclist, and concerned citizen, I support Sustain Charlotte’s recommendation to utilize a Trade Street tunnel within the expansion of Lynx lines. The ability to easily navigate transfers throughout the city is crucial to expanding ridership, and access to center city and the uptown transit center is crucial in that regard. Additionally, while there may be increased engineering costs upfront, those costs will be more than recouped in rider increase, and pedestrian safety improvement.
I urge the MTC to seriously consider the data and suggestions from Sustain Charlotte. Our beautiful city is only as accessible and safe as the commission actively creates it to be.

Michael Hall commented
2019-02-27 15:39:23 -0500

CATS has a history of ignoring the people who are affected by its routes. This is not only wrong it’s pathetic. You can’t pick and choose which taxpayers you want to benefit. All should benefit, especially the poor. All tax dollars should be represented in any public project.